Conclusion of the Geilenfeld case
On May 23, 2025, U.S. District Judge David Leibowitz sentenced Michael Karl Geilenfeld to 210 years in federal prison for child sex abuse. In 1985, Geilenfeld established the St. Joseph Family Home for Boys in Port-au-Prince and operated it for over 20 years.
We vehemently condemn these heinous violations against children. Such acts are utterly repugnant and diametrically opposed to our mission and values. Hearts With Haiti is an independent, North Carolina-based nonprofit established in 2001 to provide vital support to those in dire need in Haiti.
Geilenfeld has had no role or relationship with our organization for more than a decade.
Prior to any accusations, he served on our volunteer Board of Directors.
Upon the emergence of these allegations, we took immediate action. We engaged a private investigator to travel to Haiti and collaborate with the appropriate authorities to probe these criminal allegations. The comprehensive report we received found no substantiating evidence for the accusations and raised doubts about their veracity.
We terminated our relationship with Geilenfeld’s out of an abundance of caution and concern that association with him could detract from our important work. Since then, we have had no contact or involvement with him.
In April 2015, a judge in Haiti dismissed the criminal charges of indecent assault and conspiracy against Geilenfeld. He was arrested in 2024 when U.S. Federal agencies decided to reexamine the allegations, which led to Geilenfeld’s 2025 sentencing .
While unrelated to our nonprofit, the 11-year saga of this legal process inspired concern and reflection and motivated us.
Our commitment to ethical practices has been unwavering. We have engaged expert counsel, strengthened our policies and procedures, are diversifying our fund recipients, and clarified our values, standards, and expectations for fund recipients. This reinforced the responsibility of fund recipients to proactively maintain a secure and nurturing environment for everyone, to engage and cooperate with all relevant authorities, and to report any suspected issues. This commitment is now a cornerstone of our organization, a testament to our dedication to upholding the highest standards of conduct.
We have initiated another review process to enhance our methods. We are redoubling our commitment to being good stewards, ensuring that every donation delivers the most significant benefits for Haitians in need.
Our dedication to our mission and the people we serve remains resolute. We are exploring additional ways to improve and grow our support for a healthy, sustainable future for Haitians in collaboration with our Haitian partners. We are committed to making a positive impact and improving the lives of Haitians in need.
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